Researching the Ideals and the Value-orientation of the Confucians in Han Dynasty China (Theoretic Issues)

In response to Zang Zhifei's recent article on the value-orientation of the Confucians in the Han Dynasty (Shixue jikan, 2003.2), the present article explores the theoretical issues (Part Ⅰ) and the practical problems of historical investigation (Part Ⅱ) in researching the and the value-orientation of the Han Dynasty Confucians. Part Ⅰ of the article discusses (1) the recent anthropolgical turn in the French Annales School involving studyng the History of Mentality, as well as a general trend in historical researchs; (2) this is, in turn, related to the anthropologist Robert Redfield's emphasis on the important influence of the Great Tradition on the Little Traditions, which transforms anthropological work into civilizational studies; (3) this leads to a re-ex-amination of the controversial meanings of ethics and morals and the Chinese translation of these as Ltmli and Daode. The author argues that, for a proper understanding of Han Confucianism and the Confucians in Han dynasty China, one must take into consideration their ethical claims and moral ideals (ingredients of the Great Tradition in a culture), and not merely emphasizing their petty mundane conducts (the Little Tradition) as Zang's recent article displayed.